Switch



Feb. 17, 1942. T. L. PARKER 2,273,417

SWITCH Filed July l5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 17, 1942UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Thomas L. Parker, Chicago, lll.,assignor to The Standard Electric Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application July 1.5, 1939, Serial No. 284,602 7Claims. (Cl. 200-66) The invention relates generally to switches, andmore particularly to multi-position rotary snap switches.

The invention has among its objects the production of a switch which maybe used for controlling multiple circuits carrying relatively heavycurrent, and yet which is very small and compact 1n size.

Another object of the invention is the construction of suchV a switchhaving 'a positive snap action.

A further object of `the invention is the construction of a switchhaving the above features which is provided with a reciprocating action.

Another object of the invention is the production of a switch which isso designed that it will withstand vibration, etc., without interruptingthe current.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described' and moreparticularly pointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference char acters indicate like orcorresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a switch embodying the subject matter ofthe present invention, approximately actual size;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the shaft axis, theshaft being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 3 with the-switchingmechanism rotated 120 from that shown in Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, with thedisk 5I removed for clearness;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line'I-T of Fig. 2; with the disk removed; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a fourposition switch constructedin accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the switchcornprises l the outer diameter ofthe ring being substantially the same diameter as the bore and isprovided with a plurality of projections or lugs 5 engageable With thechannels or grooves 3, the latter and the projections co-acting toprevent the ring 4 from rotating in the bore 2. An operating shaft 6 isjournaled in the housing, the extreme inner end 'l of the shaft beingpositioned in a small bore 8 in the bottom of the housing. The oppositeend ofy the shaft is journaled in a sleeve I I, the latter being securedto a ber plate I2 which seats upon the body member I at the side thereofhaving the open end of the bore 2. Stationary contacts I3 and I4 areinset in the base member I at the open end of the bore 2, the contactsextending i laterally into the bore, as shown in Fig. 7. Suitable hollowrivets I5 secure the contacts I3 and I4 to the body member. The rivetsI5 are provided with square heads i6 at their opposite ends to preventturning when screws I'l are threaded into the same, thereby providingbinding posts for connecting the switch into the desired circuit.

Inset in the bottom of the bore 2 and forming a seat for the shaft 5 isa plate member I8 which as shown may be of laminated construction or, ifdesired, may be in a single piece. A connecting member IS is inset inthe bottom and side wall of the bore 2 up to another rivet 2| similar tothe rivets I5 and having a connecting screw 22 similar to the screws I1.As will be described subsequently, the plate I8 and member I9 serve toconduct the current from the line to the movable contact.

As shown in Fig. 2, the portion of the shaft G adjacent the inner end 'lthereof is milled or otherwise flattened on opposite sides as shown at23. A carrier plate member 24 is journaled on the shaft 6 at the portionthereof having the flat sides 23, the plate 24 being freely rotatable onthe shaft. The plate member is of a size to at least partially overliethe ring 4, as shown in Figs. 3 and2, and is provided with preferablyrounded projections 25 which engage the ring 4, the latter beingprovided with correspondingly positioned recesses 25. These recesses incooperation with the projections 25 provide a more pronounced snapaction and insure accurate alignment of the plate and ring relative oneanother in the various positions of the switch. A portion of the platemember is bent transversely to the plate proper as shown at 2l and thenback parallel to the major portion of the plate as shown at 28, and asshown in Fig. the shaft 6 passes through thev portion 28.

As shown in Fig. 7, the movable Contact of phosphor bronze or othersuitable metal comprises a contact arm 29, a ring-like tongue 33 beingcut from the arm and bent downwardly to adjacent the portion 28 of theplate 24. The contact is secured to the portion 28 by a suitable rivet3|.

Positioned between the plate 24 and the bottom of the bore 2 is alocking member 32, the latter having a lug 33 extending through aradially positioned opening 34 in the plate 24. The member 32 is alsoprovided with a circular opening 35 in which is positioned a cam member33 of similar shape. Both the ring 4 and member 32 are especiallyhardened to withstand wear and breakage. As shown in Fig. 3, the cammember has a recess or slot 31 therein of a size to receive the shaft 6at the attened portion thereof. It will be noted that the recess or slot31 is so located in the cam member 36 that the axis of the shaft 6 isoffset from the center of the cam member so that the latter whenactuated by the shaft will not rotate about is own center, therebyproviding the cam action.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the ring 4 is provided with aplurality of inwardly extending projections 38, there being oneprojection for each position of the switch, including the olf position.In other words, if it is a threeposition switch, there will be threeprojections and if it is a four-position switch, there will be fourprojections. The member 32 is likewise provided with a pair ofprojections 39, the latter being so spaced that the member 32 extendssubstantially completely across the intermediate space between adjacentprojections 3B. Carried on the shaft and positioned intermediate theplate 24 and the portion 28 thereof is an actuating member 4 I, thelatter having a rectangular opening therein of a size to snugly receivethe attened portion of the shaft and will therefore rotate with theshaft when the latter is turned. The member 4I as shown in Fig. 2 isprovided with a transverse portion 42 corresponding to the transverseportion 21 of the plate 24. A coil spring 43 encircles the shaft B andhas its ends 44 and 45 extending radially outward, the respective endsbeing positioned on opposite sides of the portion 42 of the member 4Iand the portion 21 of the plate member 24. A sleeve 46 is positionedwithin the coils of the spring to maintain the same in proper position.

The shaft 6 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 41, one faceof the ange butting against the movable contact 3| and portion 28 of theplate member 24 to urge the same towards the bottom of the bore, aspring 48 having one end seating on the opposite face of the flange 41and the other end seating on an inwardly extending shoulder 49 of thesleeve I I supplying the necessary force to accomplish this. Thus. theprojections 25 on the plate 24 are urged in rm engagement with .therecesses 23 in the ring 4.

Separating the contacts I3, I4, and movable contact arm 29 from theremainder of thesw'itch mechanism is a disk 5I which is so cut as topermit the shaft and the arm 29 to pass through the same as shown inFig. 2. This disk is of any suitable insulating material and serves topre vent any arcing or flashing from the contacts, during making andbreaking thereof, from reaching the remainder of the switch mechanismwhere repeated arcing or flashing would have a tendency to remove thetemper from the spring 43 and otherwise injure the elements. By the useof the disk 5I the stationary contacts I3 and I4 and the contactingportion of the movable contact arm 29 are positioned between theinsulating disk 5I and the insulating plate I2 so that the contactingelements are completely isolated from the remainder of the switch.

A cover plate 6I overlies the liber plate I2 and securely holds the samein position. The cover plate 6I is secured to the body member I by lugsor arms 62 integrally formed with the cover member and are bent backupon a portion of the body member as shown at 63, there being two lugs,one at each end of the device. Extending from the cover plate GI is athreaded stem 54, the latter being of larger diameter than and thereforespaced from the sleeve II on the fiber plate, and thereby insulatedtherefrom. Rings or nuts 65 threaded on the stem provide means forsecuring the switch to any suitable plate 65 or the like. A handle 61 ofBakelite, plastic, or other suitable insulating material is secured tothe shaft 6 by a screw 68 which is threaded into the shaft, the latterbeing milled or otherwise flattened adjacent the end thereof as shown at69, the handle having a bore of a size to snugly t the end of the shaft,thereby eliminating any possibility of rotation between the shaft andhandle. The free end of the shaft is provided with a narrow slot 1Iallowing the shaft to spread as the screw is inserted whereby it willgrip the sides of the bore in the handle and will thereby prevent thescrew from working loose. The opening 12 in the body member issuperficial in the three-position switch, it being used on four-positionswitches as will hereinafter be described, the provision of the opening12 in the body member allowing the latter to be used in either a threeor four position switch.

The operation of the device is as follows:

As shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 1, the switch is in an off position, themovable contact 3I being on the opposite side of the shaft 6 from eitherof the stationary contacts I3 or I4. Consequently, in this position, nocurrent flows through the switch. When the shaft is rotated, it beingimmaterial in which direction, the member 42 will rotate with the shaft,carrying with it an end of the spring 44. For example, assuming theknob, and therefore the shaft, of the switch is rotated in a clockwisedirection, the end 46 of the spring i4 will be moved as indicated by thedotted lines in Fig. 5, it being remembered that in this figure it willappear to be moving in a counter-clockwise direction as the section istaken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. This movement isaccomplished by the transverse portion 43 of the member 42, which willmove with the shaft and must necessarily carry the end of the springwith it. The opposite end of the spring engages the transverse portion21 of the plate 24 and does not move as one of the projections 39 on themember 32 will engage an adjacent projection 38 on the ring 4. As thetransverse portion 33 in the member 32 extends through the opening inthe plate member 24, rotation of the latter is prevented. However, itwill be remembered that the cam 36 also rotates with the shaft 6.Consequently, as the shaft is rotated, the member 32 will move radiallyinwardly towards the shaft. This action -will continue until the shaftand cam 36 have rotated sufficiently to allow the projection 39, in thiscase the projection on the leftside of the member 32, as seen in Fig. 3,to clear the adjacent projection 38 on the ring 4, the member 32 beingshown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 at the instant it is clearing contacts11.

theadjacent projection 3S. As soon as. this has taken place, .the plate24 actuated by the end 45 of the spring 44 will rotate, rotating with itthe member 32, the latter rotating about the cam 36. The plate 24 andmember 32 will rotate until the same projection 3 9 engages thesucceeding projection 3'8 on the ring 4 and will-then assume theposition shown in Fig.` 4, the relation of the .parts to one anotherrbeing the same as they were in Fig. 3, but all of them being rotated 120relative the body member l. In this position, the movable contact 3|will engage the stationary contact I4, as shown in Fig. 6.

When the switch is turned to the next position. the same action willtake. place and likewise, if itis desired to turn the switch back in theoppositey direction, the action is the same with the exception that thetransverse portion d'3 of the member 42 would engage the end t5. of thespring instead of the end 46 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Aspreviously mentioned, the device may be also constructed with fourpositions instead of three. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 8. Inthis switch, there will be one oii position and three von positions.Thev general construction of this switch is the same as that justdescribed. However, in the four-position switch, the ring "I3corresponding to the ring 4 is provided with four projections 'itinstead of the three projections 38 of the ring 4. Likewise,

the member i corresponding to the member 32 is provided with projections'l5 corresponding to the projections 39 on the member 32. The contacts'H are the same as the contacts. lli and I5 while contact 'i8 is soshaped that the portion thereof engaging the movable contact will beequally distant from the similar portions oi the In the four-positionswitch illustrated in Fig. 3 the ring. 'i3 similarly is provided withfour recesses 'i9 corresponding to therecesses 26 in the ring 4. Thecarrier plate 8l corresponding to the plate 2li is provided with onlyone projection 82 similar to 'the projections 25 of vplate Z4, althoughmore may be provided `if desired. The member 'l5 is provided with a.projection 83 corresponding to the transverse portion `33 of the member32'.

. c It will be seen from the above description that I have provided athree or four position switch which is unusually small and compact.Likewise,

I' have provided a reciprocating switch of the type described employingnovel means for locking and releasing the movable contact in any one ofthe desired positions, said means being precise and positive.

Having` thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be `made in the same without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention. Hence, I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction,arrangement and-combination of parts herein shown and described or usesmentioned.

What vI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l 1.' Ina multi-position switch mechanism, the combination of a body memberhaving a bore therein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore andrigidly secured to the body member, a shaft ypositioned in said bore. aplate pivotally carried on said shaft and partially overlying said foraligning the same relative one another at each position of the switch,anl actuating arm rigidly carried by said shaft and operativelyconnected to said plate, a contact within said bore. adjacent the mouththereof carried by said plate, xed contactsv positioned adjacent themouth of said bore and extending laterally 4therein' engageable withthecontact on said plate, a looking member engageable with said plate`and ring, means carried by said shaft for drawing said locking memberout of engagement with said ring, a plate positioned across the mouth ofsaid bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends,the latter having a flange positioned inwardly `from said sleeve, acompression spring, the ends of which engage said iiange and sleeve tomaintain said mechanism in operating position, and means for maintainingsaid plate in operative position relative said body member.

2. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a boretherein, a ring po- .rotatable therewith, said member engageable withsaid ring, to limit the movement of said member, cam means rotatablewith said shaft engageable with said locking member, rotation of saidshaft and cam means drawing said locking member out of engagement withsaid ring, whereby the contact on said plate may be rotated relativesaid fixed contact, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth ofsaid bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends,the latter having a iiange positioned inwardly from said sleeve, acompression spring, the ends of which engage said flange and sleeve tomaintain said mechanism in operating position and prevent vibrationthereof, and a cover plate secured to the body member overlying saidinsulating plate and having an attaching stem spaced from and encirclingsaid sleeve.

3. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a boretherein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and rigidlysecured to the body member, said ring having projections extendinginwardly from the inner edgethereof, a shaft rotatable in said bore, aplate pivotally carried on said shaft and partially overlying said ring,resilient means connecting said shaft and plate, a contact within saidbore adjacent the mouth thereof carried by said plate, a fixed contactpositioned adjacent the mouth of said bore and extending laterallytherein engageable with the Contact on said plate, a locking memberpositioned adjacent one face of said plate slidable relative thereto androtatable therewith, said member engageable with the inwardly extendingprojections on said ring, to limit the movement of said member, saidmember having an opening thereinpa cam memberfrotat'- able with saidshaft positioned in the opening in said locking member, rotation of saidshaft and cam memberv drawing said locking member out of engagement withthe adjacent projection on said ring, whereby the contact on said platemay -be rotated relative said iixed contact, an insulating platepositioned ,across4 the mouth of said boreand having a sleeve thereonthrough which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positionedinwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of whichengage said ange and sleeve respectively, and means for securing saidplate to said body member.

4. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a boretherein, the sides of said bore having longitudinally extending groovestherein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and havingoutwardly extending projections positioned in said grooves, said ringhaving recesses in its upper face and having projections extendinginwardly from the inner edge of said ring, means on said plateengageable with said recesses, a shaft positioned in said bore and aplate pivotally carried on said shaft and partially overlying said ring,said plate having a slot therein and a portion thereof extendingtransversely thereto, means on said plate engageable with said member,an actuating arm rigidly carried by said shaft, a portion of said armpositioned adjacent the transversely extending portion of said plate, acoil spring positioned under compression and having its ends engagingthe transverse portions of said arm and plate, a contact carried by saidplate, xed contacts positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore andextending laterally therein engageable with the contact on said plate, alocking member having a transversely extending projection positioned inthe slot in said plate, said member having projections thereonengageable with the inwardly extending projections on said ring, saidmember having a circular opening therein, a cam member rigidly carriedby said shaft and rotatable therewith positioned in said opening in saidlocking member, rotation of said shaft and cam member drawing saidlocking member out of engagement with the adjacent projections on saidring, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth of said bore andhaving a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends and means formaintaining said plate in position.

5. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a boretherein, the sides of said bore having longitudinally extending groovestherein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and havingoutwardly extending projections positioned in said grooves, said ringhaving recesses in its upper face and having projections extendinginwardly from the inner edge of said ring, means on said plateengageable with said recesses, a current conducting member positioned inthe bottom of said bore, a shaft positioned in said bore, a portion ofsaid shaft engaging said conducting member, a plate having a slottherein pivotally carried on said shaft partially overlying said ring,said plate having a portion thereof extending transversely to the same,an actuating arm carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, aportion of said arm positioned adjacent the transversely extendingportion of said plate, a coil spring encircling said shaft with its endsextending radially outward and engaging the transverse portions of saidarm and plate, a contact carried by the transverse portion of saidplate, fixed contacts positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore andextending laterally therein engageable with the contact on said plate,an insulating disk positioned in said bore below said contacts, alocking member having a transversely extending projection positioned inthe slot in said plate, said member having projections thereonengageable with the inwardly extending projections on said ring, saidmember having a circular opening therein, a

cam member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith positioned insaid opening in said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cammember drawing said locking member out of engagement with the adjacentprojection on said ring, an insulating plate positioned across the mouthof said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaftextends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly from saidsleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said flange andsleeve, to maintain said mechanism in operating position and preventvibration thereof, a cover plate secured to said body overlying saidinsulating plate and having a stem spaced from and encircling saidsleeve, and means on said stem for securing the same to the object onwhich said switch is to be used.

6. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a boretherein, a shaft rotatable in said bore, a contact operatively connectedto said shaft, a fixed contact positioned adjacent the mouth of saidbore engageable with the contact on said shaft, an insulating platepositioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereonthrough which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positionedinwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of whichengage said flange and sleeve to maintain said mechanism in operatingposition and prevent vibration thereof, and a cover plate secured to thebody member overlying said insulating plate and having an attaching stemspaced from and encircling said sleeve.

7. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a boretherein, a ring secured to said member and positioned in the bottom ofsaid bore, a current conducting member positioned adjacent the bottom ofsaid bore, a shaft positioned in said bore, a portion of said shaftengaging said conducting member, a plate having a slot therein pivotallycarried on said shaft partially overlying said ring, said plate having aportion thereof extending transversely to the same, an actuating armcarried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, a portion of said armpositioned adjacent the transversely extending portion of said plate, acc-il spring encircling said shaft with its ends extending radiallyoutward engaging the transverse portions of said arm and plate, acontact carried by the transverse portion of said plate above saidspring and actuating member, said contact positioned in said boreadjacent the mouth thereof, xed contacts positioned adjacent the mouthof said bore and extending laterally therein engageable with the contacton said plate, a locking member having a transversely extendingprojection positioned in the slot in said plate, said member havingprojections thereon engageable with the inwardly extending projectionson said ring, a cam member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewithengageable with said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cammember drawing said locking member out of engagement with the adjacentprojection on said ring, an insulating plate positioned across the mouthof said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaftextends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly from saidsleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said flange andsleeve, and a cover plate secured to said body member spaced from saidsleeve.

THOMAS L. PARKER.

